Authority: High Court of Jharkhand at Ranchi
Order Date: 15 July 2026
Case Overview
- Parties: Petitioners – Bihar Colliery Kamgar Union (BCKU) represented by its President Sundar Lal Mahto; Respondents – Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) and its officials including Chairman, Director In‑charge (Bokaro Steel Ltd), Executive Directors, Chief General Managers, and General Managers of the Colliery Division.
- Nature of Proceeding: Writ Petition (W.P.(L) No. 5057 of 2024) filed seeking writs in the nature of mandamus to (i) compel SAIL to produce all records relating to 329 workmen engaged in lifting and loading slurry from slurry ponds, (ii) produce service records of workers with 30‑40 years of continuous service, (iii) direct reinstatement of those workers, and (iv) prohibit replacement of manual labour with mechanical equipment, alleging violation of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution.
- Allegations: Petitioners claimed the 329 workers, who had been employed for three to four decades, were arbitrarily terminated and replaced by JCB machines, pay loaders and other mechanical devices, constituting an unfair labour practice and denial of livelihood without due process.
- Proceedings: Counsel for the petitioners later informed the Court that the 329 workers had been re‑engaged during the pendency of the case and therefore the petition was no longer being pressed. Counsel for the respondents stated she had no instructions and no counter‑affidavit was filed.
Final Outcome
- The Court dismissed the writ petition as not pressed and also dismissed any pending interlocutory application as not pressed, granting no relief to the petitioners.
Topics: Court Order, Labor Dispute, Employment Rights